Muhammad & Rama

As Role-Models
A comparison between their characters and
embodied ideals.

By
Pandit Gaga Bhatt
Raigad

2013
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Introducing Muhammad & Rama

I have chosen to compare the character of Muhammad and Rama because both of these individuals
are regarded by their followers as their most exemplary role-models. They are both considered as
the best exemplars of the teachings of their respective religions.

Hinduism is the complete antithesis to Islam and there are very few points of contact and agreement
in terms of theology, cosmology, epistemology, eschatology and theodicy. The only points of
agreement are some minor ethical matters like avoiding cheating, being kind to the poor and to
orphans etc., and criminal matters like forbidding theft and murder etc. — and even these are
different in their legal details and implications.

The majority of Muslims, like the majority of Hindus don’t actually study the theology or
philosophy of their respective religions but rather practice according to custom and usage, and use
the lives of role-models as the bench mark of good and pious practice. Most uninformed believers
have only a vague idea of their actual role-models or imagine them in modern global humanistic
terms — superimposing today’s humanistic values on them. The challenge is rather how do we use
ancient role-models to inform our practice in the vastly different moral and ethical landscape of
today. What examples do we accept and what do we reject? And indeed, should we use them at all?

The Muslim Position on Muhammad.

Muhammad (26 April 570 – 8 June 632) is mentioned in a number of verses in the Qur’an and all
give him the stamp of approval as the official and final
representative of Allah and his example is to be emulated by the
believers. The details of his exemplary life is gleaned from the
Hadith — anecdotes of the faithful and the Sira — the official
biography of the Prophet 1 written about 135 years after his
death.

The Qur’an represents Muhammad as the last in a long line of

prophets beginning with the first man Adam. He is the last and
the most perfect of all of them. His example, and his teachings
are to be adopted by all mankind as the most perfect — he is the
“uswa hasana” — the best exemplar.
Allah commands Muhammad to say:— “If I am astray, I only
stray to the loss of my own soul. (34:35)
Allah says:— “In the messenger of Allah ye have a good
example for him who looks unto Allah and the last day and
remembers Allah much. (33:21)
Allah also says that “he who obeys the Messenger
[Muhammad], obeys Allah” (4:80)

1 Muḥammad ibn Isḥaq ibn Yasār (more commonly known simply as Ibn Ishaq) (704-770 AD) was an Arab Muslim
historian from Medina, responsible for the Sirat Rasul Allah, a collection of hadith that is arranged in chronological
order, forming the earliest and most accurate biography of Muhammad.
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The Qur’an also tells Muslims numerous times to obey Allah and Muhammad (3:32, 3:132, 4:13,
4:59, 5:92, 8:1, 8:20, 8:46, 9:71, 24:47, 24:51, 24:52, 24:54, 24:56, 33:33, 47:33, 49:14, 58:13,
64:12.)
So if Muhammad is astray, his soul is by no means the only one at risk, with millions of Muslims
regarding him as the exemplary role model and the only one to emulate, then they too are all in
spiritual danger.
There are numerous instances in the life of Muhammad of behaviour that we would consider to be
unethical, immoral and even criminal today e.g. Killing defenseless prisoners of war, marrying 6
year old Aisha, ransoming captives, selling captive women and children into slavery, ordering
assassinations etc. Many Muslims and non-Muslims alike, often attempt to excuse away the
instances of Muhammad’s immoral behavior using the moral relativism defense. They claim he
was a “product of his time” and that he should not be judged by modern standards, he was just
complying with the pre-modern behavior of primitive tribal Arabs, but what they fail to mention is
that this particular Islamic doctrine — the belief that Muhammad is the uswa hasana, leaves those
defenses redundant. If he is the perfect human being and exemplar of Islam anointed and appointed
by Allah, then he must be so for all time and every place.

Muhammad repeatedly told his followers to follow his Sunnah (example) and in the Qur’an we see
that Allah even asserts his morality as being “sublime” (Qur’an 68:4) therefore Muhammad cannot
be seen as simply a product of his time. To do so, would mean also to concede to the fact that the
Qur'an is outdated and not relevant to the modern world. From an Islamic perspective, this is
unthinkable. The Qur'an is beyond the constraints of time and place. It is not simply 'inspired' but
the very words of Allah, delivered by the angel Gabriel and uttered through the lips of his final
messenger. Hence, Muhammad's actions are (and always will be) morally acceptable to the Muslim.

The Hindu position on Rama.

Rama the principle character of Valmiki’s Ramayana is said to be the maryada purushottam —
exemplar of the most perfect human being. Hindus consider
him as a human avatar of God, but when God incarnates into
His creation he becomes totally human and is temporarily
conditioned by material factors and limitations. It is not
Rama’s divinity which is considered but rather the perfect
human qualities which he possessed and which can be aspired
to be emulated by us that are most important factors to
consider. Valmiki’s Rama is intensely human in everything.
Hindus also consider that the example of Rama’s actions and
teachings are universal in their application and not confined to
Hindus alone, they are also valid for all times and places.
The Hindu position is slightly more complex than the Muslim
position because Rama was accompanied by his wife Sita and
brothers Lakshmana, Bharata, Satrughna. The avatar was in
fact shared by all of them. So when looking for role models all
the four brothers and Sita are considered. The brothers for male
role-models and Sita and the mother — Kausalya for the
female role-models.
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Missions
Both Rama and Muhammed had a 'divine mandate' to accomplish certain tasks.
Muhammad had 3 specific agendas:—
• to preach Allah's message of His unity (tawheed) to the pagans, Jews and Christians of the
Arabian peninsular and to establish the five daily prayers, charity, belief in Allah, angels and
the day of resurrection.
• to combat the worst of all sins in Islam — shirk — polytheism, trinitarianism and any other
form of theology that deviates from strict monotheism. (In Islam hell is specifically created
by Allah for the eternal torment of UNBELIEVERS! There is no other sin which would
merit eternal damnation.)
• to unite the disparate and fractious tribes of Arabia and to establish a theocratic political
system (khalifa) based upon Shariah law as revealed in the Qur’an and Sunnah. Islam is thus
a socio-political system clothed in religion.

Rama also had 3 specific agendas:—

• Regime-change — overthrowing the despotic and tyrannical Emperor of Lanka (Ravana)
who was depredating and tormenting beings.
• Protection of the righteous and the granting of Grace to the devotees. (And the salvation of
all the demonic forces that were killed. Hinduism’s hell is temporary and is reserved for
criminals with the punishment suits the crime. There is no thought crime of disbelief!)
• Establishing Rāma-rajya a perfect system of government to set an absolute standard for all
governments to measure up to — the emphasis of Rama-rajya is not on the actual political
structure and legal system like Islam but rather on the ethical and moral standards by which
governments should operate.

The common goal of both was both socio-political and the establishment of a set of principles by
which their followers could be guided in future.
An objection can be raised here that Muhammad was a real historical character2 whereas Rama is a
mythological character. This may be true, but the purpose of a role-model is to act as a standard of
exemplary behaviour for believers. So whatever their historicity, the important thing to consider is
what we can learn from their narratives, teachings and examples and how we use their behaviour to
justify and inform our own behaviour in today’s world.
When comparing biographical incidents it is important to avoid comparing the best of one with the
worst of the other, but the gentle reader should bear in mind also the two or more facets that each
person has to his/her character. Many wicked and depraved mass murderers and serial killers have
been exceptionally cruel and merciless to their victims but caring, loving and considerate lovers,
husbands and fathers. The character assessment would be different depending on whether one was
emotionally and personally involved with criminal or if one were the victim — both are valid
perspectives, both true from their particular view-point.

In comparing Muhammad and Rama as role models for their respective followers we focus on 2
aspects:—

2 It is difficult to know exactly what aspects of Muhammad’s biography are historically accurate and what are later
pious embellishments since the official biography was written 135 years after his death. Robert Spencer has recently
published a book questioning the historicity of Muhammad.
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1. Their personal demeanor as seen from their admirers based upon their interpersonal relationships
with the ones in their inner-circles.
2. Their transactional dealings with others in their social field.

In the case of the prophet of Islam we do have accounts from both sides — his followers and
believers — the Muslims, and from the other parties involved in his transactional activities — the
victims i.e. Pagans, Jews and Christians, as well as the accounts of his followers regarding the fate
of the victims. The Hadith and the Sira are shameless in their gushing enthusiasm for describing the
cruelty and ruthlessness with which the messenger of Allah dealt with his rivals and opposition. So
in the case of Muhammad we have personal accounts of his dealings with the Muslims, which was
on the whole generous, fair, kind, compassionate, caring etc. And then on the other hand his
dealings with all those non-muslims who opposed him, his teaching, his revelation and his socio-
political agenda.

Rāma also had an interpersonal relationship with his family, friends and devotees and on the other
hand, being a mythical or quasi-mythical character3 whose deeds and pastimes occurred in the
metaphysical realm, his battle was not with other humans and historical kings and identifiable
socio-political or ethnic groups but rather he fought against the metaphorical forces of darkness,
ignorance and chaos. Rama’s opposition was to Rakshasas - semi-spiritual beings embodying the
worst of pan-human traits — selfishness, anger, delusion, greed, envy etc.

A Character Analysis of Muhammad

The following favorable summary of the chief character traits of Muhammad
comes from 'THE LIFE OF MAHOMET', by WILLIAM MUIR Vol. II. p.28.
[Smith, Elder, & Co., London, 1861]

Personal appearance
A little above the ordinary height, he was stately and commanding. The depth of
feeling in his dark black eye, and the winning expression of a face otherwise attractive, gained the
confidence and love even of a stranger. His features often unbended into a smile full of grace and
condescension. "He was," says an admiring follower, "the handsomest and bravest, the brightest-
faced and most generous of men. It was as though the sun-light beamed in his countenance." Yet
when anger kindled in his piercing glance, the object of his displeasure might well quail before it:
his stern frown was the certain augury of death to many a trembling captive.

Simplicity of his life

A patriarchal simplicity pervaded his life. His custom was to do every thing for himself. If he gave
alms he would place it with his own hand in that of the petitioner. He aided his wives in their
household duties; he mended his own clothes; he tied up the goats; he even cobbled his sandals. His
ordinary dress consisted of plain white cotton stuff; but on high and festive occasions, he wore
garments of fine linen, striped or dyed in red. Mahomet, with his wives, lived in a row of low and

3 There are divergent views on the historicity of Rama. Some right-wing Hindus insist on one hand that he was an
historical person who fought real battles against real demons and that he lived in the real city of Ayodhya — although
there is no epigraphical or archeological evidence to support these claims. Others at the other extreme assert that the
whole of the Ramayana is trans-historical and is a narrative about pyscho-spiritual struggles and transformation. Those
in the middle think that he was an historical character who’s life has been mythologized.
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homely cottages built of unbaked bricks ... The Prophet must be addressed in subdued accents and
in a reverential style. His word was absolute. His bidding was law.

Urbanity and kindness of disposition

A remarkable feature was the urbanity and consideration with which Mahomet treated even the
most insignificant of his followers. Modesty and kindness, patience, self-denial, and generosity,
pervaded his conduct, and riveted the affections of all around him. He disliked to say No; if unable
to reply to a petitioner in the affirmative, he preferred to remain silent. "He was more bashful," says
Ayesha, "than a veiled virgin; and if anything displeased him, it was rather from his face, than by
his words, that we discovered it; he never smote any one but in the service of the Lord, not even a
woman or a servant." ... He possessed the rare faculty of making each individual in a company think
that he was the most favored guest. When he met any one rejoicing he would seize him eagerly and
cordially by the hand. With the bereaved and afflicted he sympathized tenderly. Gentle and
unbending towards little children ... He shared his food, even in times of scarcity, with others; and
was sedulously solicitous for the personal comfort of every one about him. Mahomet was also a
faithful friend..… his affections were in no instance misplaced; they were ever reciprocated by a
warm and self-sacrificing love.

Moderation and magnanimity

In the exercise at home of a power absolutely dictatorial, Mahomet was just and temperate. Nor was
he wanting in moderation towards his enemies, when once they had cheerfully submitted to his
claims.

Earnestness and honesty of Mahomet at Mecca

As he was himself the subject of convictions so deep and powerful, it will readily be conceived that
the exhortations of Mahomet were distinguished by a corresponding strength and urgency. Being
also a master in eloquence, his language was cast in the purest and most persuasive style of Arabian
oratory. His fine poetical genius exhausted the imagery of nature in the illustration of spiritual
truths; and a vivid imagination enabled him to bring before his auditory the Resurrection and the
Day of Judgment, the joys of believers in Paradise, and the agonies of unbelievers in hell, as close
and impending realities. In ordinary address, his speech was slow, distinct, and emphatic; but when
he preached, "his eye would redden, his voice rise high and loud, and his whole frame become
agitated with passion, even as if he were warning the people of an enemy about to fall on them the
next morning or that very night." In this thorough earnestness lay the secret of his success. ... His
inspiration was essentially oracular. His mind and his lips were no more than a passive organ which
received and transmitted the heavenly message.

A Character Analysis of Rāma

Vālmīki Bāla Khāṇḍa opens with a description of the 16 pre-eminent qualities of
Rāma:—

• Highly qualified (guṇavān) — this opening adjective means he was possessed of

every good quality imaginable and free from all the negative ones.
• Heroic (viryavān) — Rāma was highly motivated and courageous in every undertaking and never
hesitated in doing his duty.
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• Grateful (Kritajñaḥ) — When King Dasaratha wanted to perform the coronation ceremony of Sri
Rāma and intimated this to his subjects, their joy knew no bounds. They praised His qualities to
no end. While talking about one of His qualities — kritajñata they exclaimed:—
“Sri Rama’s joy is unlimited when anyone deliberately or inadvertently renders even a
single help. He forgets even 'one hundred' acts of betrayal!” (2:1:12)

• Truthful (satya vākyaḥ) — no matter what the outcome Rāma always spoke the truth but even
unpleasant truths he spoke gently and with consideration for the feelings of the listener.
• Reliable in his promises (dhṛḍha vrataḥ) — he promised Keikeyi that he would follow her
instruction and go to the forest for 14 years for the sake of Bharata, but even when Bharata
relinquished the throne and abrogated what his mother had commanded — still Rāma did not
flinch from his vow. Whenever he promised something he’d always follow through.
• Ethical in his behaviour (cāritravān) — he never hesitated to do the right thing, even though it
was to his own detriment.
• Dedicated to the welfare of all beings (sarva bhūteṣu hitaḥ) — he was always concerned for the
welfare of all beings, not only the citizens but also the aboriginal tribes in the forest as well as all
the creatures that dwelt there.
• Fully in control of his anger (jita krodhaḥ) — the only time Rama was recorded to have lost his
temper was when Rāvana attacked Hanuman who was carrying Rāma on his shoulders. He would
forgive and let go anybody offending Him but would not tolerate anyone who harasses those that
love Him or oppresses others. Rāma pardoned Samudra Rāja for his misbehaviour. He pardoned
Kakasura who had attacked and bitten Sita when the Kakasura apologised and begged his
forgiveness.
• Highly educated (vidvān) — Rāma had studied all the Vedas together with there sub-sections such
as music, art, archery, grammar, poetry, administration etc.
• Skilful (samarthaḥ) — Rāma was generally skilful in everything he did - both in love and war,
administration and adjudication, as a friend, commander, brother and king etc.
• Good-looking (priyadarśana) — not only was he physically handsome but he always appeared
pleasant to the eye.
• Self-controlled (ātmavān) — this term has two meanings:— Rāma was completely Self-realized
and in perfect control of himself, or he saw all living beings as rays or projections of himself and
there felt no difference between himself and them.
• radiant (dyutimān) — Rāma exuded a natural radiance. In his presence one’s ‘dark’ nature would
vanish. ‘Dyuti’ means light. When such a ‘radiant’ person is seen, a feeling of fondness (prīti)
would automatically manifest and all hostility would diminish. Tara, Vali’s wife, came to Sri
Rāma in rage and grief to denounce him for killing her husband, but as soon as she saw him she
forgot her initial intensions and started praising him.
• Free of envy (anasūyakaḥ) — A envious person cannot abide good that another possesses of
wholesome qualities in others. Jealousy can neither admire nor appreciate the good traits of
others and thereby tends to regard the good as bad. The jealous try to project the virtues' of
others as a drawback. But Sri Rama’s nature was to see the good in everyone. Bharata, who was
indirectly responsible for Rama’s exile, came to Chitrakuta along with all his ministers and
army. Watching the approaching troops from a tree top Lakṣmana accused Bharata of evil designs
and wanted to punish him. Rāma prevented Lakṣmana from attacking him and praised
Bharata’s good nature and also his love for him. Srī Rāma said, “Not only to me he would give
the kingdom even to you if I ask him to!” Srī Rāma taught people to live without jealousy
towards all.
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• Terrifies even the gods in battle (bibhyati-devāḥ) — although generally gentle, passive and
compassionate, when aroused to do battle through injustice and wickedness Rāma was a
formidable opponent in battle, fighting with courage and tenacity till the end.

Ayodhya Kāṇḍa gives the following character analysis of Rāma:—

• Rama was always peaceful in mind and spoke softly. He did not react to the hard words spoken by
others.
• Rama, because of his amiability, is gladdened even by a paltry favour done to him, but does not
remember any number of bad things done to him.
•
• Whenever he finds some time even while practising archery, he used to converse with elderly
people, elder by way of conduct or wisdom or age or with good natured people.
• Rama was wise and he used to speak sweetly. He was the first one to initiate a conversation. He
always spoke compassionately. He was brave, but never arrogant of his prowess.
• He never spoke untruth and was profoundly insightful. He was receptive and caring for the aged.
People used to love him and he loved the people.
• He had deep compassion and had fully conquered anger. He used to honour the intelligentsia. He
had mercy towards the downtrodden and always knew what was to be done. He was always self
controlled and clean (in conduct).
• Rama was not interested in actions which were not beneficial to others. He was a scholar who had
not time for tales opposing righteousness. Like Brihaspati, he was a great orator always talking
about strategies for action.
• Rama was youthful, well-built, healthy and an eloquent. He knew the appropriateness of both
time and place. He could sum people up in an instant. He was the one gentleman born on earth.
• Rama was humble. He did not let his feelings show outwardly. He kept his thoughts to himself.
He helped others and his anger and pleasure were never wasteful. He knew when to give and
when not to give.
• Rama knew the theory and practice of sciences. He understood the differences among people. He
could judiciously discriminate whom to protect and whom to punish.

Commonality
In these glowing descriptions of their respective virtues and admirable qualities we find much in
common between the two role models, and many points upon which both Hindus and Muslims can
agree are generally worthy and universal human qualities that should be emulated, such as trust,
respect, compassion, honesty, reliability etc. etc.

The outstanding difference is that Muhammad enjoined a double standard. One for the elite in-
group – Muslims bound for heaven, and a different standard for dealing with the despised non-
believers (kufar), destined for eternal damnation in the fires of hell.

Even the non-believers were sub-divided into two groups:—

(a) The “people of the Book” – Jews and Christians who could be “tolerated” as dhimmis or second-
class citizens as long as they accept subjugation, pay a special poll-tax jizyah and keep a low
profile.

(b) The polytheists/Pagans on the other hand had two choices either convert or die!
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Most of the Muslim emperors who ruled India in some parts for a thousand years followed the
Hanafiya school of Sharia jurisprudence which was the most liberal of the four schools and actually
granted dimmi status to the Hindus although there were regular pogroms of massacre, enslavement
and pillaging. Thousands of temples were looted and destroyed and 10’s of millions of people were
slaughtered, and many more women and children sold into slavery.

The Comparison
1. Marriage & Family
Rama
Rāma was a prince of the Royal dynasty of the Suryavamshi Kshatriyas and only had
one wife — Sīta, who was won through a competition arranged by her father king
Janaka when she came of age. Rāma along with many other suitors attempted to raise
and string a massive bow — only Rāma succeed and was chosen by Sīta as her
husband (svayamvara). Rāma never even looked with lust upon another woman and was totally
devoted to Sītā alone. She was abducted by Ravana the King of Lanka and spent some time as his
captive — trying to coax her to sleep with him. Rāmā waged a war against Ravana and won back
Sītā.

During the year of separation from Sītā, Rāma remained celibate. After the battle Sīta voluntarily
underwent an ordeal to prove her chastity and faithfulness to him while in captivity. The Valmiki
Ramayana contains a narrative about his ultimate divorce of Sītā after hearing some of his subjects
gossiping about her. He felt compelled to preserve the dignity of the monarchy and the good name
of his family by dismissing her and sending her off in a pregnant state to a forest hermitage where
she had twin sons Lava and Kusha. Other versions of the Ramayana such as Kamba and
Ramacharitra Manasa end with the coronation of Rāma and the enthronement of the couple. Many
scholars think that the divorce narrative appended at the end is an interpolation.

Although his father Dasaratha had 3 wives, Rama and his brothers all had only one wife. Sita was
the single love of Rama’s life. The entire Ramayana is centered around this ideal of monogamy.

The outcome is that although the Hindu Law books do allow polygamy, the ideal set by the
Ramayana and followed by the multitude of Hindus today is monogamy – which is even enshrined
in modern Indian law for all Hindus.

There is not a single Hindu guru today who would advocate or tolerate any form of polygamy let
alone concubinage or sex-slavery!

Example set:— Monogamy and sexual restraint.

Muhammad
According to multiple sources, Muhammad had many wives and sex-slaves (milk-
el yamin), and was known as a "womanizer". Muhammad consummated his
marriages with thirteen women and divorced another six. He also used to visit all
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his wives in one night.4

The following is rough list of Muhammad’s wives, according to various Islamic sources. It is
possible that this number may still fall short of the actual number of wives he had.
1. Khadija/Khadijah
2. Sauda bint Zam'a
3. 'A’isha
4. ‘Umm Salama
5. Hafsa
6. Zainab bint Jahsh (wife of the prophet’s ‘adopted’ son Zaid)
7. Juwairiya
8. Umm Habiba
9. Safiya
10. Maimuna bint Harith
11. Fatima
12. Hind
13. Sana bint Asma’ / al-Nashat
14. Zainab bint Khuzaima
15. Habla
16. Divorced Asma’ bint Noman
17. Divorced Mulaykah bint Dawud
18. Divorced al-Shanba’ bint ‘Amr
19. Divorced al-‘Aliyyah
20. Divorced ‘Amrah bint Yazid
21. Divorced an Unnamed Woman
22. Qutaylah bint Qays
23. Sana bint Sufyan
24. Sharaf bint Khalifah

Some of his named concubines/sex-slaves are:—

25. Mary/Mariya the Copt/Christian
26. Rayhana bint Zaid
27. Umm Sharik / Ghaziyyah bint Jabir
28. Maimuna
29. Zainab
30. Khawlah bint al-Hudayl

Khadijah

Khadijah bint Khuwailid/Khuwaylid (555 – 619 AD) was the first wife of Muhammad and also a
distant cousin belonging to the Bani Asad tribe. She was a wealthy woman aged forty who ran her
own business, and her love affair with Muhammad was a controversial one which almost ended in
bloodshed.

4 Narrated Qatada: Anas bin Malik said, "The Prophet used to visit all his wives in a round, during the day and night
and they were eleven in number." I asked Anas, "Had the Prophet the strength for it?" Anas replied, "We used to say
that the Prophet was given the strength of thirty (men)." And Sa'id said on the authority of Qatada that Anas had told
him about nine wives only (not eleven). Sahih Bukhari 1:5:268
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Muslims often try to use her high social standing as "proof" that women are equal in Islam. What
they neglect to explain is that she was a "great independent businesswoman" before Islam, during
the so-called "Period of Ignorance" (Jahiliyah), and you cannot find any examples of successful
women after Islam, during Muhammad's lifetime. In fact, Muhammad prohibited women from
taking leadership positions and this is why in some Islamic countries women "cannot run for
president or become judges."
Aisha
Aisha, sometimes spelt as 'Ayesha', was the nine year old child-bride of Muhammad. She was
engaged to him at the age of six5 when he was 50. She was also the daughter of Abu Bakr, a close
friend of Muhammad and the future Caliph. She became Muhammad's "favorite wife."
Contrary to what Muslims often claim, Aisha was not 'offered' to Muhammad by her father. It was
Muhammad who approached Abu Bakr, and Abu Bakr originally protested. However, Muhammad
justified his perversion with a 'divine' revelation from Allah, which also happens to destroys the
apologists appeal to cultural relativism.

Zainab bint Jahsh

(c.590-641) was a first cousin of Muhammad. The prophet proposed she marry his adopted son a
manumitted slave called Zayd — the marriage only lasted 2 years. Muhammad wanted her as a
wife and married her after the divorce. (after an aya was revealed from Allah (33:37) permitting the
union. Thereafter the legal status of adoption has not been recognized under Islam.

Safiyah

Safiyah bint Huyayy (610 - 670 AD) was the bride of Kinana the chief of the Jewish tribes of
Quraiza and An-Nadir. When the Muslims invaded and conquered Khaibar, the fighting men were
killed and Safiya was taken captive (along with the rest of the women and children) and allotted as
booty to Dihya Al-Kalbi, a Muslim. Her father and brother were killed and her husband Kinana
was tortured under the orders of Muhammad by having a fire lit on his chest in order to discover the
hiding place of tribe’s treasure, and after he’d revealed it, he was beheaded by the Muslims. One
source relates that he and Safiya had been married only one day. She was about 18 and so beautiful,
that the Muslims began praising her in the presence of the prophet and so the prophet commanded
that she be brought before him. Upon seeing her, Muhammad said, "Take any slave girl other than
her from the captives" and he selected her for himself.
From the information provided in the Hadith, we can reasonably conclude that Safiya did not have a
choice in this marriage. She was held captive up until the marriage, and when Muhammad decided
that she would be a wife rather than a slave-girl, that is when he made known that her manumission
was her dowry.
Mariyah
Mariyah the Copt was one of the prophet’s wives’ maids. Muhammad had sex with her without any
ceremony, which caused uproar among his wives and finally was settled by "divine intervention."
Waqidi has informed us that Abu Bakr narrated that the messenger of Allah had sexual intercourse
with Mariyyah in the house of Hafsah. When the messenger came out of the house, Hafsa was

5 'A'isha reported: Allah's Apostle married me when I was six years old, and I was admitted to his house when I was
nine years old. Sahih Muslim 8:3310
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sitting at the gate (behind the locked door). She said to the prophet, O Messenger of Allah, do you
do this in my house and during my turn? The messenger said, “control yourself and let me go
because I make her haram (forbidden) to me”. Hafsa said, “I do not accept, unless you swear for
me”. Muhammad said, “by Allah I will not contact her again.”

Example set:—
• Polygamy is a legitimate and desirable ideal (4 wives being sanctioned by modern Sharia Law.)
• Child marriage is permissible
• Wives should be kept veiled in niqabs
• Sex-slaves or concubines are permitted – as many as one may like.

2. Treatment of Women
Rama
Rama as a principle treated all women with respect and honor. There were a few
exception. The sage Vishvamitra and the other meditators were being tormented and
harassed by rakshasas in the forest and among them was a female shape-shifter
Tataka. When Vishvamitra asked Rama to kill her, he refused saying that women
should never be harmed. Vishvamitra then recounted all her wicked deeds, oppression and heartless
cruelty to the inhabitants of the forest, and with persuasive arguments convinced him for the benefit
of all the forest dwellers to dispatch her forthwith.

Surpanakha was another shape-shifter, the sister of Ravana who used to wander around the forest
tormenting the ascetics living there. One day she chanced upon Rama, Sita and Lakshmana sitting
out side their hut and was smitten with lust for Rama. Taking the form of a beautiful woman, she
approached Rama and offered herself to him. He declined saying that he was married, monogamous
and accompanied by the love of his life –Sita, and perhaps she should try Lakshmana since he was
alone and hadn’t enjoyed female company for some years. She then approached Lakshmana who
brushed her off by saying that he was a servant of Rama and Sita and that she would have to serve
them as well. Being thus teased Surpanakha took on a monstrous form and attacked Sita with
murderous intent - declaring she was the obstacle to her gratification. Lakshmana fought her off and
was poised to kill her when Rama stopped him and told him to mutilate her only. Lakshmana then
cut off the tip of her nose and her ears. Covered in blood she fled to her brother to instigate them to
attack and kill the two brothers. Her three brothers tried to do battle unsuccessfully and were all
slain. Surpanakha then went to Ravana and told him she’d been mutilated when she attempted to
kidnap and bring the most beautiful woman in the world Sita to him for his enjoyment. Ravana then
set forth to see Sita for himself.
Having seen Sita, Ravana devised a plan to kidnap her by taking on the guise of an ascetic. Marichi
in the form of a deer, lured Rama and Lakshmana away from the cottage and Ravana succeeded in
kidnapping Sita and carrying her to Lanka.
The Valmiki Ramayana in the final section — Uttara Kanda — tells the story of the rejection of
Sita by Rama. Rama one day requested his ministers to report to him the citizens thought of him
and what they were saying about him. The ministers reported that people where gossiping about the
innocence and chastity of Sita while in the captivity of Ravana. They were censuring Rama for
having taken her back. Rama, much distressed consulted with his brothers and affirmed that he was
totally convinced of Sita’s purity and innocence, but for the sake of his illustrious family’s name
 13

and the honor and dignity of the position of King, he had taken the painful decision to divorce the
pregnant Sita and sent her to the Ashrama of Valmiki.
Example set:—
• Women are to be respected and honored.

Muhammad
Muhammad had little respect for women in general. Women and children captured
in war were considered as booty and divided up among the jihadis or treated as
marketable commodities and sold. He commanded his male followers to beat
their disobedient wives. He gave men the right to beat their wives who
persistently disobeyed them.
  Sura 4:34 "As those you fear may be rebellious admonish, banish them to their
couches, and beat them."

This verse was revealed by Allah in connection with a woman who complained to Muhammad that
her husband slapped her on the face, which was still marked by the slap. At first Muhammad said
to her – "Get even with him", but then added:– 'Wait until I think about it". Later on the above
verse was revealed, and Muhammad added, 'We (He and the woman) wanted one thing, Allah
wanted another.

Muhammad said that women are generally so evil, that they will make up the majority of people in
to hell.

Bukhara Vol. 1, #301: "O women! Give alms, as I have seen that the majority of the dwellers of
Hell-fire were you (women). They [women] asked, "Why is it so, O Allah's Apostle?" He replied,
"You curse frequently and are ungrateful to your husbands."

 Bukhari Vol. 1, #28: "The Prophet said, "I was shown the Hell-fire and the majority of its dwellers
were women who were ungrateful." It was asked, "Do they disbelieve in Allah?" (or are they
ungrateful to Allah?), he replied, "They are ungrateful to their husbands and are ungrateful for the
favors and the good done to them...."

Sahih Muslim says they are the minority in Paradise:

Volume 4, #6600: "Imran Husain reported that Allah's messenger said: Amongst the inmates of
Paradise the women would form a minority."

 By putting these two Hadith together, we find that Muhammad said that women were the minority
in Paradise, and the majority in hell. Therefore it is not a statistical ratio due to the possibility that
there are more women than men. Muhammad viewed women as more sinful than men. And the
reason more women are in hell is because the women were ungrateful to their husbands!

Muhammad also declared that women are less intelligent than men: 

Bukhari, Volume 1, #301: "...Then he (Muhammad) passed by the women and said, "O women,
give alms as I have seen that the majority of the dwellers of Hell-fire were you (women)." they
asked, "Why is it so O Allah's messenger?" He replied, "You curse frequently and are ungrateful to
your husbands. I have not seen anyone more deficient in intelligence and religion than you. A
cautious sensible man could be led astray by some of you." The women asked, "O Allah's
 14

messenger, what is deficient in our intelligence and religion?" He said, "Is not the evidence of two
women equal to the witness of one man?" They replied in the affirmative. He said, "This is the
deficiency in her intelligence....."

Muhammad also permitted the sever beating of a slave girl. When his wife Aisha was being
examined as to whether or not she committed adultery, Muhammad's son in law, Ali, brutally beat
Aisha's slave girl in front of Muhammad, in order to insure that she tell the truth about Aisha.

Here is the actual quote from Ibn Ishaq's "Sirat Rasulallah", translated as "The Life of Muhammad",
by A. Guillaume, (page 496):
"So the apostle called Burayra (Aisha's slave) to ask her, and Ali got up and gave her a violent
beating saying, "Tell the apostle the truth,".... 

Muhammad did not stop Ali from beating the slave. Muhammad also allowed newly captured
female slaves to be used for sex.

From the Hadith of Sahih Muslim vol. 2, #3371

Abu Sirma said to Abu Said al Khudri: "O Abu Said, did you hear Allah's messenger mentioning
about al-azl (coitus interruptus)?" He said, "Yes", and added: "We went out with Allah's messenger
on the expedition to the Mustaliq and took captive some excellent Arab women; and we desired
them for we were suffering from the absence of our wives, (but at the same time) we also desired
ransom for them. So we decided to have sexual intercourse with them but by observing
azl" (withdrawing before emission of semen to avoid conception). But we said: "We are doing an
act whereas Allah's messenger is amongst us; why not ask him?" So we asked Allah's messenger
and he said: "It does not matter if you do not do it, for every soul that is to be born up to the Day of
Resurrection will be born".

And vol. 3, #3432 

Abu Said al-Khudri reported that at the Battle of Hunain Allah's messenger sent an army to Autas
and encountered the enemy and fought with them. Having overcome them and taken them captives,
the Companions of Allah's messenger seemed to refrain from having intercourse with captive
women because of their husbands being polytheists. Then Allah, Most High, sent down regarding
that:– "And women already married, except those whom your right hands possess (sex-slaves)
(Quran - 4:24), (i.e. they were lawful for them when their Idda (menstrual) period came to an end).
Example set:—
• Women are not the equal of men they are less intelligent and less religious.
• Women are goods and chattels and can be beaten or even sold.
• Women can be kept as sex slaves and used at will.
 15

3. Livelihood
Muhammad
In his youth he was a shepherd and later took employment under his future wife
Khadija. How did Muhammad earn his living in Medina? What job did he do? In
what occupation was he employed? What business was he involved in? All these
questions remain unanswered. Except for the following Hadith from Sahih
Bukhari, all the Sunna, the Sahih Ahadith, the Sirah (biography) never mention of
any form of acceptable and/or dignified profession/occupation that Muhammad
engaged in to support himself and his retinue of ever increasing number of wives and concubines:
Here is that incredible Hadith:
Narrated Ibn ‘Umar that the Prophet (SA) said, “My livelihood is under the shade of my spear, and
he who disobeys my orders will be humiliated by paying Jizya”
“Under the shade of my spear” means “from war booty”. It is recorded that Muhammad and his
band raided the caravans of the Quraish. One fifth of all the loot (khums) was to be given to God
and his prophet. A whole surah has been revealed on the subject — Al Anfal — “Spoils of War”

Verse 4 And know that out of all the booty that ye may acquire (in war), a fifth share is assigned to
Allah, and to the Messenger.

This example has been followed throughout history. When the Muslim armies were conquering
India and despoiling the temples, palaces, towns a villages a fifth of all the loot was sent to Mecca,
Medina and to the Caliph.

The following Hadith tells us that Muhammad built mosques using the proceeds of robbery, pillage
and the revenue from forced Jizya on non-Muslims. Read this Hadith carefully and you will surely
comprehend why many people flocked to Muhammad and his Islam—yes, it was pure greed and
lust for money and wealth; Muhammad broke all laws and rules of an established contemporary
civilised society just to satisfy this greed of his followers. Here is the appropriate Hadith from Sahih
Bukhari:

Volume 4, Book 53, Number 351: Narrated Jabir bin Abdullah: Allah's Apostle said, "Booty has
been made legal for me."

Volume 4, Book 53, Number 390: Narrated Jabir bin 'Abdullah:

Allah's Apostle once said to me, "If the revenue of Bahrain came, I would give you this much and
this much." When Allah's Apostle had died, the revenue of Bahrain came, and Abu Bakr announced,
" Let whoever was promised something by Allah's Apostle come to me." So, I went to Abu Bakr and
said, "Allah's Apostle said to me, 'If the revenue of Bahrain came, I would give you this much and
this much." On that Abu Bakr said to me, "Scoop (money) with both your hands." I scooped money
with both my hands and Abu Bakr asked me to count it. I counted it and it was five-hundred (gold
pieces). The total amount he gave me was one thousand and five hundred (gold pieces.)

Narrated Anas: Money from Bahrain was brought to the Prophet. He said, "Spread it in the
Mosque." It was the biggest amount that had ever been brought to Allah's Apostle . In the meantime
Al-'Abbas came to him and said, "O Allah's Apostle! Give me, for I gave the ransom of myself and
Aqil." The Prophet said (to him), "Take." He scooped money with both hands and poured it in his
garment and tried to lift it, but he could not and appealed to the Prophet, "Will you order someone
to help me in lifting it?" The Prophet said, "No." Then Al-'Abbas said, "Then will you yourself help
me carry it?" The Prophet said, "No." Then Al 'Abbas threw away some of the money, but even then
 16

he was not able to lift it, and so he again requested the Prophet "Will you order someone to help me
carry it?" The Prophet said, "No." Then Al-'Abbas said, "Then will you yourself help me carry it?"
The Prophet said, 'No." So, Al-'Abbas threw away some more money and lifted it on his shoulder
and went away. The Prophet kept on looking at him with astonishment at his greediness till he went
out of our sight. Allah's Apostle did not get up from there till not a single Dirham remained from
that money.

Example set:—
• Looting and pillaging are permissible means of livelihood
• Ransoming captives is another legitimate means of raising funds.
• Excessive wealth for its own sake is a desirable goal

Rama
Being the son of a king and the heir apparent, Rama studied all the sciences required
for a king. He was exiled on the eve of his coronation and went to the forest for 14
years accompanied by his brother Lakshmana and wife Sita where he and his brother
eked out their livelihood by hunting and gathering and living in huts built from the
natural resources of the forest.
While they lived in the forest the family shared whatever they had with others, extending hospitality
to a wandering ascetic (Ravana in disguise) was Sita’s downfall.
Even after the great battle for Lanka which was fabulously wealthy Rama did not allow any looting
or pillaging.
Once he returned to Ayodhya he reigned as king and lived by collecting approved taxes from his
subjects.
In all the various skirmishes and battles he fought with opponents in the forest and to protect the
hermits and sages never once did Rama countenance the taking of loot or pillaging of crops and
possessions. Although there have been historical incidents of Hindu kings pillaging and looting this
has never been accepted as an ideal to be followed.

Example set:—
• Choose an appropriate profession to your social status
• Always try to earn through your own means.
• Live within your means
• Live a simple life

4. Dealing with Conflict & Styles of Warfare

Rama
Rama followed the standard Vedic fourfold prescription for conflict resolution:— (1)
sama = discussion, (2) dana = negotiation, (3) bheda = separation or disassociation if
possible, (4) danda = resolution through punitive action.
He sent Hanuman as his diplomat to enter into discussion and negotiation with Ravana for the
return of Sita — after repeated attempts at an amicable resolution all failed, Rama resorted to
warfare as the only option. After Vibhishana the younger brother of Ravana had changed sides
Rama expressed the wish that Ravana had recanted and surrendered Sita and thus prevented war.
 17

The war was then conducted in an ethical manner even though the enemy Ravana and his sons used
all sorts of devious and and deceptive means.
After the war all the women, the combatants and citizens were treated with respect and consoled
according to the orders of Rama. Vibhishana declined to perform the cremation ceremony of his
brother because of his wickedness. Rama disagreed and declared that Ravana had the right to a
proper funeral and encouraged Vibhishana to do the right thing. Ravana was then cremated with all
ceremony and honour. Vibhishana was then officially installed on the throne.
Example set:—
• Fight only justified wars after all negotiations have failed — the purpose of wars is to bring the
parties to the negotiating table. Always keep open the option of ceasing hostilities if resolution of
the matter occurs.
• Fight only with combatants and fight fairly without deception.
• Leave the non-combatants alone
• Treat the survivors, prisoners, women and children with dignity and respect.
• Respect the property of the vanquished.

Muhammad
Muhammad was either personally engaged in or was the commander of almost
100 battles. Most of the battles were either for booty or for imposing his socio-
religious ideology on the Quraish and allied tribes. A few were for defense.

In none of the battles was there any serious attempt at resolving the conflict in a
peaceful manner. As examples we can take the prophet’s treatment of the 3
prominent and powerful Jewish tribes of Arabia at the time. When Muhammad migrated from
Mecca he was welcomed by the people of Yathrib (latter renamed Medina). The pagans of Yathrib
had been living in perfect harmony with the Jews for generations.
These Jews were mostly successful owners of orchards on the outskirts of Medina. Many of them
were artisans, craftsmen, jewelers and merchants. They were a wealthy, prosperous community,
living in their fortified quarters on the suburbs of Medina in harmony with the populace of Medina
city. The most prominent among these Jews were the Banu Quaynuqa, Banu Nadir and Banu
Qurayza.
When Muhammad migrated to Medina these Jewish clans made a covenant with him to live in
tranquility and harmony and to aid him, should any attack fell on him. Muhammad was now in a
mood to renounce all his treaties with the Jews and conduct plunder on them, to sieze their fertile,
productive land and their exquisite wealth. In fact, Gabriel brought the decree (8:58) from Allah
that he (Muhammad) was free to break treaty with the Jews. With Allah on his side, Muhammad
started to threaten the B. Qaynuqa Jews with the consequence of Badr II unless they accepted Islam.
B. Qaynuqa Jews were the weakest of all the Jewish tribes in Medina.
The show of defiance was a fatal error on the part of B. Qaynuqa; for, this display of insolence by
the Jews was good enough reason for Muhammad and his over-eager, booty-hungry Jihadists to
wait to conduct an attack on them. Allah also revealed verse 3:12, 13, assuring Muhammad of his
victory against the Jews. It was during this time that Allah forbade, in verse 5:57, to engage in
friendship by the Muslims with the Jews and the Christians.6 While this hostility between the
Muslims and the Jews was simmering, an incident took place that gave Muhammad the opportunity

6 Tabari, vol.vii, p.85

 18

he was patiently waiting to lay an attack on the Jews. The incident was as follows:
An Arab girl, married to a Muslim convert of Medina went to the Jewish shop of a goldsmith in the
market place of Qaynuqa. While waiting for some ornaments, she sat down. A silly neighbor
secretly pinned the lower hem of her skirt. When she arose, the awkward expose made everyone
laugh. She screamed with shame. A passing Muslim witnessed the incident and killed the offending
Jew. The brother of the Jew then killed the Muslim. The family of the murdered Muslim then
appealed to the converts of Medina to take revenge.

The skirmish now became general and Muhammad made no attempt to mitigate the situation, nor
did he try to bring the offending parties to justice. He immediately gathered his followers under the
white banner in the hand of Hamzah and marched forward to attack the Jewish tribe. The Jews took
shelter in their fortified apartments. So, Muhammad laid a siege and a full blockade was imposed.
The siege lasted for fifteen days. The Jews were expecting help from their Khazraj allies. But the
help did not come. So, the desperate B. Qaynuqa Jews had no choice but to surrender to
Muhammad. Their hands were tied behind their backs and preparations were made for their
execution. At this time, Abd Allah ibn Ubayy, the Khazarite and a new convert to Islam (he was the
nemesis of Muhammad at Medina, Muhammad calling him a hypocrite) intervened. He could not
stand that his old faithful allies would be massacred in cold blood. He begged Muhammad for
mercy, but Muhammad turned his face away. Abd Allah persisted. Finally, Muhammad yielded and
let the prisoners escape execution. Then Muhammad ordered the Jews of B. Qaynuqa to leave
Medina within three days. They were led to exile by Ubadah b. al-Samit ibn Samit, one of the
Khazarite leaders to as far as Dhubab. Then the Jews proceeded to Wadi al-Qura. There they got
assistance from the Jewish inhabitants with carriage until they reached Adriat, a territory in Syria
where they settled permanently.

Thus, the B. Qaynuqa Jews surrendered their arms and jewel-making machinery and were exiled
from Medina. In this connection, Tabari writes:69 “Allah gave their property as booty to his
Messenger and the Muslims. The Banu Qaynuqa did not have any land, as they were goldsmiths.

The treatment of the Banu Nadir

Bani Nadir Jews inhabited the fertile land in the vicinity of Medina. They were prosperous having
vast tracts of land, on which they cultivated date palms. Muhammad, with a few of his followers,
including visited the village of B. Nadir, two or three miles away from Medina and requested the
chief of B. Nadir to refund the blood money that he had already paid. The B. Nadir Jews received
Muhammad courteously, and while they attentively listened to his demand and agreed to honor
Muhammad’s request. Muhammad was quite unhappy when the B. Nadir readily agreed to his
demand. In reality, he was expecting the B. Nadir Jews to reject his demand, so that he could have a
good pretext to attack them and seize their land and property.
After agreeing to Muhammad’s demand for blood money, the B. Nadir Jews went for a private
discussion among themselves. This unnerved Muhammad and he claimed that B. Nadir Jews
wanted to kill him by dropping a stone from top of the house. As usual, he pretended that Gabriel
gave him this information.
With clear war and invasion of Jewish property in mind, Muhammad sent a messenger to announce
an ultimatum to vacate Medina. He gave the Jews ten days to vacate Medina and, if after this
deadline any Jew was seen in the area, he would be killed. The B. Nadir Jews were startled with this
sudden change of heart of Muhammad. They could not believe it coming from a person like
Muhammad who claimed to be the messenger of Allah. They decided to decline the order of
expulsion and entered their fortresses, stocked them with enough supplies to last up to a year and
 19

got ready to defend themselves. Muhammad now had the most legitimate reason to besiege the
Jews.
The siege lasted for fifteen or twenty days, and Muhammad became very impatient. At last, to
hasten their surrender, Muhammad, in contravention of the revered laws of Arab warfare, cut down
the surrounding date trees and burned them. When the Jews protested about the breaking of
sacrosanct Arab laws on warfare, he demanded a special revelation from Allah (59:4) that was
promptly sent down, sanctioning the destruction of enemy’s palm trees. In this verse Allah gave
generous permission to the Muslims to cut down the palm trees: it was not a destruction but the
vengeance from Allah, and to humble the evil doers that is to say, it is alright to cut down cultivated
land and burn crops in a war.7

After Muhammad destroyed their only source of livelihood, the B. Nadir found their case
completely hopeless, and finding no other alternative, they decided to surrender and abandon their
lands. In exchange for this, they wanted Muhammad to spare their lives, on which he agreed, on
condition that they could only take those of their property that they could carry on their camels. He
stipulated that the Jews must surrender their arms. They were allowed to carry whatever they could
stock upon their camels. The Jews agreed to comply with those humiliating conditions, loaded six
hundred camels with their goods and departed from their ancestral land with fanfare, din and
alacrity. Some of them, with their chiefs Huyey, Sallam and Kinana went to Khaybar. The rest of
them went to Jericho and the highlands of south Syria. Only two of them embraced Islam. They
were given back their land and all of their properties.

Once the expulsion of B. Nadir Jews was complete, Muhammad took over the ownership of their
property making it his personal chattel that he could dispose of as he wished. He claimed that the
spoils of B. Nadir belonged to Allah and to him exempting the land from the usual law of
distribution of booty because it was gained without actually fighting. He divided the land according
to his discretion, choosing the best lots for himself.

The Genocide of the Banu Qurayzah

After another famous Battle of the Trench the angel Gabriel visited him and informed him that the
battle was not over yet, and that Allah commanded him (Muhammad) to besiege the B. Qurayzah.
It is claimed that Gabriel arrived riding a horse and wearing a cloth of gold turban.. ( Ibn Sa’d, vol.
ii, p.94 ) After hearing the instructions of Gabriel, Muhammad abandoned the noon (Asr) prayer
and commanded his Jihadists to march straight to the territory of B. Qurayzah, Ali being sent ahead
of the rest. Muhammad informed his followers that during war, prayer can be omitted, as fighting
during this time was more incumbent than praying.
When Muhammad was near the fortress of the B. Qurayzah Jews, he called them by yelling, ‘you
brothers of apes.’ (Tabari, vol viii, p.28) This is elucidated in the Qur’an in verses 2:65, 5:60 and
7:166, where Allah says that He turned the Jews into apes.

The Muslims then attacked the Jews with archery but to no avail. One Muslim approached the
fortress carelessly and was killed by a Jewess who threw down a millstone on him.
After twenty-five days of siege, the Jews grew desperate, exhausted and terrified at their future.
They were on the verge of starvation. Muhammad was bent on a bloody revenge and refused to
negotiate with the Jews. It is claimed that Allah, through Muhammad’s terrorism, cast terror into
their hearts. The B. Qurayzah leader, Ka’b b. Asad proposed that they should accept Islam to save

7 Note: The Sharia Law (Islamic Law) on destruction of enemy properties states: It is permissible in Jihad to cut down
the enemy trees and destroy their dwellings. (Reliance of the Traveler, law 09.15, p.604)
 20

their lives. Almost all the Jews declined to forsake the religion of their forefathers. A distraught
Ka’b proposed that they should kill their women and children, then, all the men could go out and
fight Muhammad without any impediment. But the Jews did not want to kill their dearest ones with
their own hands. It was impossible for them to commit such act, as they feared that it was
meaningless to live without their wives and children. Ka’b then proposed an attack on Muhammad
the next day which was a Jewish Sabbath day (i.e Saturday). The Jews flatly declined to engage in
any warfare during the Sabbath.
Finding no choice, the crestfallen B. Qurayzah Jews finally surrendered to Muhammad for his
judgment. The male Jews were chained and kept in the fortress till a decision was made about their
fate. The women and children were then separated from their husbands and together with the goods
and possessions of the B. Qurayzah Jews, the camels and flocks were all brought as spoils of war to
be distributed amongst the Muslims. A long trench was dug in the marketplace of Medina. The
Prisoners were then brought there in batches of 5 or 6 , made to kneel down and beheaded by Ali
and Zubayr in front of Muhammad. Party by party they were thus led out, and butchered in cold
blood, till the whole 900 were slain. One woman alone was put to death; it was she who threw the
millstone from the battlements.
The example set by Muhammad:—
• Break treaties when personal benefit is obtainable.
• Fight and attack all of your target group whether they are combatants or not.
• Fight till total victory — subjugation of the enemy.
• Male prisoners of war (everyone post puberty) may be killed in cold blood or ransomed.
• All the vanquished may be mishandled and abused
• All women and children are booty which can be either divided up and kept by the victors or sold
into slavery to raise funds.
• All the property of the vanquished are legitimate spoils of war — 1/5 of which goes to the Prophet
(or Caliph)
• Fruit-bearing trees, crops and infrastructure can be freely destroyed to achieve victory.

5. Dealing with Adversaries/Critics

Rama
Rama was such a just and compassionate person that he had very few detractors and
was universally loved by all. But we can examine how he treated those that unjustly
wronged him.
1. His father’s youngest and dearest wife Kaikeyi tricked the king into transferring the crown from
Rama, the legitimate heir to her son Bharat. Furthermore she demanded that Rama be exiled to
the forest for 14 years.
2. The one who coached the queen Kaikeyi was her personal attendant, an old woman called
Manthara.
3. Marichi took the form of a golden deer to lure Rama away from the forest hut in order to
facilitate the kidnapping of Sita by Ravana.
4. Jayanta the son of Indra took the form of crow and attacked Sita causing her breast to bleed.
Rama refused to condemn Kaikeyi and willingly followed the orders of the King delivered by her.
 21

Even when she accompanied her son Bharat to meet Rama in the forest, he touched her feet first and
treated her with the utmost respect and affection, continuing to call her ‘mother’.
When the plot to exile Rama had unfolded Lakshmana, his younger brother was determined to kill
Manthara the instigator but Rama forbad him to harm her.
Marichi had previously had an encounter with Rama but had survived, he only agreed to Ravana’s
plan because Ravana had threatened to kill him if he refused. He thought that he would rather be
killed by Rama than Ravana — because everyone that Rama killed however demonic he may have
been, attained final Salvation.
Even the wicked Jayanta was pardoned by Rama when he sought refuge with him.
Probably one of the most ethically troubling incident from Rama’s biography is the killing of Vali.
Vali was the brother of Rama’s sworn friend Sugreeva. Due to a misunderstanding he had expelled
Sugreeva from the kingdom and had taken his wife to himself. He had tried numerous attempts to
kill Sugreeva to no avail. Fearing for his life Sugreeva sought refuge on a mountain with his chief
loyal ministers. After meeting Rama he requested help in defeating his brother and gaining back his
wife, but because of the superior strength of his brother he could never defeat him in hand to hand
combat. So Rama told him to challenge his brother to a fight, he stood behind a tree and when they
were locked in mortal combat, Rama shot Vali with an arrow from his hiding place. When the dying
Vali asked him why he had killed him in such a cowardly fashion Rama replied that it was because
he had stolen his brother’s wife — and he as the king apparent should administer justice by
punishing evil doers and hence the death sentence on Vali.

Example set:—
• Always see the good in others.
• Forgive those who do the wrong thing by you.
• Never seek revenge for perceived detraction.
• Ignore those who abuse you or spread false rumors about you.
• Do not retaliate against hate with hate but promote peace and harmony.

Muhammad
Muhammad did not tolerate detractors and was personally implicated in the
assignation/execution of over 43 individuals for various perceived personal
offenses. We will only give the most remarkable of them here.
1.Asma bint Marwan (January 624)
Immediately after his return from the victory at Badr, Muhammad felt strong enough
to put a halt to his critics who were displeased that his arrival at Medina, along with his horde of
marauding Jihadists had caused fear and serious divisions among the Medinites.

During those days before the advent of media, the most successful method of challenging and criticising
to opponents was through poems. Therefore, poets in those days were what journalists are today. One
such poetess was Asma bint Marwan. She did not hide her dislike for Islam. She was married to Yazid b.
Zayd, a man of Banu Khatma and had five sons and a suckling infant. After the Badr war, she
composed some satirical poems. The verses spread from mouth to mouth and finally reached the ears of
the Muslims and they were greatly offended. Muhammad could not at all endure satire or vituperation.
Therefore, an incensed Muhammad decided that it was time to get rid of her.
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In his mosque, at night, Muhammad sought a volunteer to assassinate Asma bt. Marwan. A blind man,
Umayr b. Adiy al-Khatmi, belonging to the same tribe as Asma’s husband (i.e., Banu Khatma) stood up
to complete the job. In the dead of night he crept into her apartment. Her little children then surrounded
Asma while she slept. Hugging her bosom was her infant, suckling her breast. The blind man, feeling
stealthily with his hand, removed the infant from her breast and plunged his sword in her belly with
such a force that it passed through her back. This severe blow killed Asma on the spot. It was just five
days before the end of the month of the sacred month of fasting, Ramadan when Muslims are not
supposed to shed blood. 8

2. Abu Afak (February 624)

Abu Afak, a Jew of Medina was a very old man, about 120 years old. He was actively opposed to Islam.
He too composed some satirical verses that annoyed the Muslims. One month after his victory at Badr,
Muhammad showed his limit of tolerance to his intellectual opposition by expressing his wish to
eliminate this old man. At his mosque, the apostle of Allah sought the service of a volunteer killer,
saying, ‘Who will deal with this rascal for me?’ A convert by the name of Salim b.‘Umayr from the B.
Amr tribe came forward to do the job. He killed Abu Afak with one blow of his sword when the latter
slept outside his house. (Some say that Abu Afak was murdered first then Asma). Ibn S’ad describes this
gruesome murder in this way:
“He waited for an opportunity until a hot night came, and Abu ‘Afak slept in an open place. Salim b.
‘Umayr knew it, so he placed the sword on his liver and pressed it till it reached his bed. The enemy of
Allah screamed and the people, who were his followers rushed him, took him to his house and interred
him.” 9

3. Ka’b bin Ashraf (Sept 624)

Ka’b, a poet was the son of a Jewess of B. Nadir. He was greatly saddened by the victory of Muslims at
Badr II. He made no attempt to conceal his discontent on the sudden ascent of Muslim power in Medina.
He went to Mecca, and through his poetry, enticed the Quraysh for revenge. On his return, he further
angered the Muslims by composing lampoons against Muslim women. Muhammad was greatly angered
and prayed to Allah to destroy Ka’b. Allah, in the Qur’an verse 4:52 also cursed those who dared to
criticize Muhammad. In his mosque, he requested for volunteers to get rid of Ka’b b. Ashraf.
Muhammad b. Maslama, volunteered and chose four other men as his accomplices. When the leader of
this assassination squad told Muhammad that to murder Ka’b they might have to resort to deceit and to
tell lies, Muhammad unhesitatingly permitted them to do so.

The murder team drew up an elaborate plan to dupe Ka’b b. Ashraf with sweet words and deceitful
promises. They engaged Abu Naila, the foster brother of Ka’b b. Ashraf for this purpose. Abu Naila
went to Ka’b pretending to borrow some money from him and talked bad about Muhammad, the
Prophet. Ka’b believed him and demanded some security for the loan.

The killing team proceeded and arrived at Ka’b’s house. Ka’b was then taking rest in his bedroom with
his newly married bride. Abu Naila, his foster brother called out for him to come down. When Ka’b
hastened to climb down, his wife caught him and wanted him not to go. Ka’b comforted her by saying
that it was his foster brother. He came down and was not alarmed as he found his callers were not
armed. They then wandered along, conversing on the misfortunes of Medina since the arrival of
Muhammad till they reached a waterfall. Ka’b’s foster brother found some sweet smell in Ka’b’s hair
and Ka’b told him that it was the smell from his newly married bride. Suddenly, the traitor seized Ka’b’s

8 Source Ibn Hisham & Ibn Ishaq, Sirat Rasul Allah, Ibn Sa'd, Kitab al-tabaqat al-kabir, Volume 2
9 Ibn Sa'd, Kitab al-tabaqat al-kabir, Volume 2
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hair, and dragging him to the ground shouting, ‘’Slay him! Slay the enemy of God.” All other
conspirators then struck their swords on Ka’b while he died making a fearful scream. His assassins then
cut off Ka’b’s head and fled in haste. When they arrived back at the mosque, they chanted the Takbir (ie
Allahu Akbar). At the gate of the mosque the Prophet welcomed the assassins and praised them for their
victory. The perpetrators threw the head of Ka’b b Asharf before Muhammad. One of the assailants was
wounded in the mission. The Prophet praised Allah for what had been done and comforted the wounded
man.10

Umm Qirfa (January 628)

Umm Qirfa was a matriarch and leader of the Fazarah tribe. Zayd b. Haritha (the erstwhile adopted
son of the prophet) raided the Fazarahs on the orders of the prophet. During the fighting the
Fazarah killed a number of Muslims including Ward b. Amr, one of Zayd’s dear comrades-in-arms.
Zayd himself was wounded.
After Zayd returned to Medina he vowed to avenge the death of his comrade by raiding the Fazarah
again. After his recovery Muhammad sent Zayd with an army against the Fazarah. He attacked
them at Wadi al-Qura and inflicted heavy casualties on them.
He took Umm Qirfa (her real name was Fatimah bt. Rabiah b. Badr), as a prisoner. Umm Qirfa was
a very old woman having a young and extremely beautiful daughter. Zayd took her daughter as a
captive and ordered a Jihadist, Qays b. Mohsin to kill Umm Qirfa. Her old age and sex did not deter
her from receiving a barbaric punishment from the Muslim army. Qays tied each of her legs with a
rope and attached the ropes to two camels. Then he drove the camels in opposite directions thus
splitting her in two. When told, Muhammad fully approved this ferocious punishment meted out to
a grand old lady. Zayd gave Umm Qirfa’s daughter to Muhammad, but he passed her on to become
a sex-slave of his maternal uncle Hazn b. Abu Wahb.11

Example set:
• Always be convinced of your superiority over others.
• Never concede that you may be wrong or in any way need to modify your behaviour.
• Always preserve your honor and dignity by either intimidating or killing your detractors and
critics.
• Never tolerate any sort of criticism.
• Attack is the best form of defense.

6. Slavery
 Rama
Rama owned no slaves, no sanction is given in any of the Hindu scriptures for the
trading in other human beings. A frequently used term is DASA which can mean
either a servant or a slave. All devotees of the Lord are regarded as his dasas, and the
name Ram-das — ’servant of Rama’ is common, but the actual practice of selling captives into
slavery has never been sanctioned by Hindu law. There have been cases of impoverished peasants

10 Sahih Bukhari 5:59:369

11 Ibn Ishak, pp.664-665
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“giving” themselves and their families to their landlords in order to discharge heavy debts, but such
bonded laborers cannot be sold to any one else or mistreated. Thus we see that forcibly enslaving
people, and trading in slaves, are strictly against Hindu teachings.
 

Muhammad
Muhammad was a slaver. He owned and sold many slaves, both male and female.
He said Allah allowed him and his Muslim followers to have sex with their
female slaves when the men wanted to. Reference the Quran, Sura (chapters)
33:50, 52, 23:5, and 70:30. Slaves are considered "booty" for Muslims when
taken in raids, thus they are Muslim's property (milk el yameen). Muhammad felt
proud and conceited enough to enslave thousands of people.
The great Islamic historian Tabari wrote regarding Muhammad's sexual intercourse with his slave
Mariyah; "he had intercourse with her by virtue of her being his property." [Tabari, Volume 39, page
194].
Muhammad made slaves out of the people he raided and fought against. Most notable were the
women and children survivors of Muhammad's massacre of the 900 males (young teens and up) of
the Jewish Banu Qurayza, Sura 33:26. The Sirat Rasulallah - the earliest biography of Muhammad,
gives much more detail on pages 461 and on. Shortly after massacring the Jewish males Ibn Ishaq
wrote on page 466:

"Then the apostle divided the property, wives, and children of the Banu Qurayza among the
Muslims, and he made known on that day the shares of horse and men, and took out the fifth",
(Muhammad and his family got one fifth of all the spoils of war). . . Then the apostle sent Sa'd . . .
with some of the captive women of Banu Qurayza to Najd and he sold them for horses and
weapons."

Bukhari also documents Muhammad owning many slaves - vol. 5, # 541 & vol. 7, # 344.
Muhammad had Negro, Arab, Egyptian, male, female, Jewish, Christian, and pagan Arab slaves. 

Conclusion
Shortly after the death of Muhammad hordes of nomad Arabs swarmed out of Saudia Arabia and
conquered vast tracts of land from Spain to India. This conquest was characterised by massacres,
destruction of towns, looting, selling captured women and children into slavery, ransoming captives
etc. All the atrocities committed by the new Muslims was according to Koranic prescription and in
emulation of the example set by the prophet. The Muslims ruled part of India for 1000 years, the
thousands of destroyed temples and the mosques built using their masonry are enduring testament
to the triumphalism of Islam. It is estimated that during Islamic rule of India over 50 million Hindus
were slaughtered and countless women raped and children sold into slavery. Universities, schools,
hospitals and infrastructure was destroyed and all the Hindus peasant forced to pay the humiliating
poll-tax (jizyah) as well as exorbitant land-tax (kharaj). In all the centuries of Muslims rule not a
single school (other than madrassahs) was built, not a single hospital or library for public use.
Even today - the violence that erupted after the publishing of the Danish cartoons about
Muhammad was entirely in keeping with the example set by the prophet himself. As was the fatwa
against author Salman Rushdie for publishing the “Satanic Verses”. Any form of perceived
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blasphemy against Allah or his messenger cannot be tolerated and must be met with death and
violence.
Violence is endemic to Islam and as we go to press the Hindus of Bangladesh are being driven
from their homes, forced to convert and massacred. Hindus in Afghanistan and Pakistan suffer
frequent pogroms and atrocities. Most of the terrorist activities in the world today are being carried
out by fervent Jihadis following the example set by their prophet and advancing the noble cause of
Islam.
The Somali pirates by looting the ships of the unbelievers and ransoming the crew are doing
nothing that is prohibited in Islam or Sharia and is in fact in full accordance with the Quranic
teachings and example set by Muhammad.
Honest and articulate Muslim preachers such as Britain’s Imam Anjem Choudhary are quite frank
in expressing the real agenda of Islam — to establish world-domination and eradicate all other
forms of religion. Islam is in fact fascism married to religion.
The reasonable Hindu reading this pamphlet will be rightly proud of the Hindu ideals espoused by
Rama, and the moderate Muslim reader will hopefully reject the example of the prophet and be
more outspoken in opposing and resisting any form of Islamic Imperialism and oppression.